Retaining clip

ABSTRACT

A small generally flat body member of square configuration has slots extending diagonally from the four corners toward the center of the body member. The slots are elongated and widen into a socket portion at the inner end, to receive and tightly fit a flat member such as plate glass in a shelving assembly. The body member has openings through the center and in the four quadrants for stress relief and use in receiving dowels in assembly. The side of the body and the slots are rimmed, and set pins corresponding to the slots are provided, the pins having corresponding rims for sliding into the slots to increase the rigidity of the body member.

United States Patent 1191 Feil 1 1 RETAINING CLIP [75] Inventor: Fred W.Feil, Racine. Wis.

[73] Assignee: Continental Display Corporation,

Racine. Wis.

22 Filed: Oct. 25, 1973 21 Appl. No: 409,475

156] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.706.388 3/1929 Ashkcnas52/753 D X 2.854.103 9/1958 Kruger... 403/173 2.866.235 12/1958 Cousc Ct211. 403/173 3.177.611 4/1965 Beck 46/31) 3.498.655 3/1971) Arms ct 111.52/7611 1 1 June 24, 1975 3.687.500 11/1972 Silvius .52/758D 3,747,2617/1973 Salem 46/29 Primary Examiner-Werner H. Schroeder Attorney, Agent,or Firm-Andrus. Sceales, Starke & Sawall 157] ABSTRACT A small generallyflat body member of square configuration has slots extending diagonallyfrom the four corners toward the center of the body member. The slotsare elongated and widen into a socket portion at the inner end, toreceive and tightly fit a flat member such as plate glass in a shelvingassembly. The body member has openings through the center and in thefour quadrants for stress relief and use in receiving dowels inassembly. The side of the body and the slots are rimmed, and set pinscorresponding to the slots are provided, the pins having correspondingrims for sliding into the slots to increase the rigidity of the bodymember.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures RETAINING cur BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to connecting members and more particularly toretaining members that are fitted between structural members to join thestructural members.

Assembled units such as display shelving. some types of furniture andtoys are advantageously assembled from several basic pieces, which indifferent combinations lend themselves to a large variety of assemblies.With one piece designed as a holder. and one or more basic structuralpieces that fit into the holder. at large variety of structures may bebuilt and disassembled at. will.

In display assemblies, shelf holders with slots have been devised as onebasic unit, and glass, plastic, wooden, metallic or other rigid platemembers may be assembled into a display unit by fitting the platemembers into the slots of the shelf holders to join the plate members.Such display assemblies can take the form of modular arrangements withholders each joining several plate members at angles to each other. tierarrangements with holders each separating vertical plates and supportinga horizontal shelf. cantilever arrangements with holders joininghorizontal shelves to vertical walls. box arrangements with each walljoined by holders. and all sorts of varying designs.

In these and other assemblies the holders need to withstand stress forlong periods and must provide rigidity to the assembly. The devices thatare presently used sacrifice appearance. which is also important, togain strength and rigidity of assembly. Excess size and protrudingportions on such holders are particularly unsightly in displayassemblies, and further increase the cost of production.

Also, prior devices of this sort require cutting for use in assemblingsome of the desired variety of display units. or would require severaldesigns to be used in different units. This detracts from the basicadvantage of the system and decreases the versatility of design uses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to improving holderdevices for use in assembly of a large variety of structures such asdisplay units. The invention provides a retaining clip that accomplishesimproved results particularly in respect to the aforementioned problems.and has further advantages as will appear in the description and claims.

The clip of the invention has a flat body with a plural' ity of slotsinto which plates such as shelving plates fit in assembly. The slots areelongated radially with respect to the center of the retaining clip andhave rounded socket portions at their inner ends to fit the platesfirmly while distributing the stress to the body of the clip. andpermitting some flexibility of the clip without cracking the body.

The optimum clip structure according to the invention includes a flatbody which has a generally square configuration and has four slotsextending diagonally inward from the corners. This structureadvantageously provides for relatively high strength and at the sametime avoids unsightly excess and protruding structures. The body hasraised rims or ribs along the edges thereof that provide direct supportto a plate member fitted into the slot in all orientations of the clip.

A further feature of this configuration is that it is usable in a largevariety of assemblies without alteration. The sides of the clip can beused as a stable base or stand, and can be used to fit a horizontalplate against the surface of an angular plate.

Another advantage-in using this configuration, is that in assembling aunit, such as a display unit. there is no difficulty in orienting theclip, even without looking at it.

Increased strength is provided for the clip by an additional feature ofthe invention. In accordance with this feature, set pins are providedfor the slots and may be fitted in the slots which are not used inassembly. The pins are of similar size and configuration as the slots.In the optimum use of this feature. the pins have rims matchingcorresponding rims on the slot edges and have a ball head on the end forfitting into a socket portion of a slot. The pins may thus be slippedtightly into the slots and will not easily drop out.

These and other features of the invention willbe amplified in thedrawings and description.

DRAWINGS The drawings illustrate the best mode presently con templatedby the inventor for carrying out the practice of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is a front elevation view of a modular display assembly utilizingthe retaining clip of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the retaining clip;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along lines 33 ofFIG. 2; and 7 FIG. 4 is ablown up perspective showing the clip and cooperating members ready forassembly.

DESCRIPTION In the drawings and referring particularly to FIG. 1. amodular display assembly 1 in a diamond configuration is shown as anexample of'the optimum use of the invention. Assembly 1 is constructedof plates 2 which may be glass, plastic, wood or any other rigidmaterial suitable for shelving. In this example, plates 2 are disposedat angles from the vertical plane, and are rigidlyconnected to eachother by retaining clips 3.

To support the display, two pairs of bottom plates 4 extend from afloor, table top or the like, with each pair of plates 4 inclined towardeach other, to form an inverted V stand for assembly 1. At the vertex 5of the V, a clip 3 joins the pair of plates 4.

From the top side of the clip 3 on the V stand portion, additionalplates 2 are held by their clip 3, one plate extending on an incline tothe center of the diamond configuration, and the other extending to acorner of the diamond. Clips 3 also are fixed to the plates at thesecorners and more plates 2 are connected to the lower plates by theseclips to incline back toward each other and form a diamond within thediamond. The latter plates meet at vertices 6, where other clips 3 jointhe plates. A top diamond within the diamond shape display is similarlyformed by additional plates, also secured together by more clips 3.

Shelves 7, which are plates similar to plates 2 and 4, are placedhorizontally within their diamonds in assembly 1. Additional clips 3 aresecured on the ends of shelves 7 and are disposed against the surfacesof the appropriate plates 2 to support the shelves and protect theplates. Thus, by the use of several basic pieces, the

plates 2, 4 and 7 and clips 3, a stable display assembly 1 has beenconstructed. Various other configurations can be easily devised usingthe same pieces.

In accordance with the invention, the optimum de sign of a clip 3 foruse in assemblies similar to display assembly 1 is shown in FIGS. 2-4. Aclip 3 has a flat body 8 of generally square configuration, which may bestamped or molded from a suitable rigid plastic or other rigid material.For display assembly use. it is preferred to employ a clear plastic.

To fit standard plates, such as plates 2, 4 and 7, clip 3 has slots 9extending from all corners of the body along diagonals toward the centerof the body 8. Slots 9 are elongated and of uniform width such as totightly fit over the edges of standard plates. The mouth of each slot 9is beveled to facilitate slipping a plate into the slot, and since theclip often is used to support considerable weight, the body 8 should beflexible enough to flex a small degree around the slot as the plate issupported by the clip. This provides a tight fit and more stability forthe assemblies employing the clips.

The stress of this flexing under the weight of a plate in a slot 9 tendsto center around the inner end of the slot, which could cause crackingof body 8 in this area. To relieve this problem and permit small amountsof flexing about the slots, the inner end of the slots are provided withrounded socket portions 10. Socket portions 10 are somewhat wider thanthe slot, and with the rounded shape serve to relieve stress on the body8 in this area.

Around the edges of body 8 and slots 9, clip 3 has a raised rim 11 thatprojects from the opposed surfaces of the body. The portion of the rimalong the sides of body 8 serve the function of strengthening ribs. Withthe square configuration of the body, these rib portions serve todirectly brace against the weight ofa plate supported by the clip andform a generally triangular configuration between adjacent slots 9.

When plates are fitted in all four slots 4, body 8 and rim 1] thusprovide rigid support for the plates. However, the clip may be used insituations where one or more slots 9 are not utilized. For thesesituations, a plurality of set pins 13 are provided, and may be fittedin unused slots 9 to add rigidity to the clip.

Shown in FIG. 4, a pin 13 has an elongated body portion 14, which isrectangular in cross section having a thickness generally correspondingto the width of a slot 9. At one end of body portion 14, the pin has around or cylindrical head 15 that generally corresponds to a socketportion 10 ofa slot. ln assembly, round or cylindrical head 15 isreceived within socket portion 10 and locks pin 13 in place, as in asnap-fit connection until such time as the pin is manually removed.

Further, to secure a pin 13 in a slot 9, body portion 14 of the pin isprovided with opposed rims 16 that are spaced apart a distance generallycorresponding to the thickness of the rim ll of clip 3. The rims 16 ofpin 13 projects from the body portion 14 a distance to generallycorrespond to the surface depth of rim ll of clip 3 as measured in aplane paralleling the body portion 8. ln assembly, the opposed rims 16of the pin 13 straddle rim 1] along the edges of the slot 9 tointerengage and hold pin 13 within the slot. Thus, a pin 13 may besnap-fit into an available slot 9 by sliding the pin into the slot headfirst and with opposed rims 16 riding over rim 11 along the opposededges of the slot.

Clip 3 has a number of holes through body 8 for various reasons. Arimmed center hole 17 is provided and may be used to receive a rod ordowel, not shown. Clips may be stored by dropping them on a dowel, or arod may be fitted into the hole 17 of two or more clips spacedhorizontally and this rod may be used for hangers and the like.Similarly, holes 18 are provided in four different quadrants of body 8and function in the same manner. The holes also provide stress reliefand flexibility in the body.

The example of the practice of the invention shown in the drawings anddescribed above is the optimum practice of the invention. Several of theadvantages of the invention may be found with clips of differentconfigurations, suchas elliptical, rectangular or circular shapes, atthe sacrifice of the advantages unique to the square shape. With suchvariations, the practice of the invention provides a clip that isversatile in use, eye pleasing, and structurally sound to accomplishrigid connections in assembly.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as beingwithin the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out anddistinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded the invention.

1 claim:

1. A retaining clip for connecting plate members, comprising:

a generally flat rigid body having a plurality of elongated slots formedtherein, the slots'extending from the edges of the body toward thecenter of the body, each slot having a rounded socket portion at theinner end of the slot, and the slots being of a width generallycorresponding to the thickness of the plate members to receive the platemembers in assembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 and including a set pin having an elongatedbody portion corresponding in thickness to the slot width, said pinterminating with a round or cylindrical head corresponding to the socketportion of the slot for locking the set pin within the slot.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the slots and the set pin havingmatching rims to interengage the pin in the slot in assembly.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the matching rims include a raisedrim on the slot edges and a set of raised rims on the set pin, theraised rims on the set pin riding over the rim on the slot duringassembly.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, and including raised rib portions on thebody portion, the rib portions extending along the edges of the bodybetween the mouths of adjacent slots and serve to brace a plate in thecorresponding slots in an assembly.

6. A retaining clip for connecting plate members, comprising a generallyflat body having a generally square configuration provided with slotsextending from each corner diagonally toward the center of the body, theslots being elongated and having a width generally corresponding to thethickness of the plate members, said body having raised rim portionsextending between slots along the four edges of the flat body and alongthe edges of the slots.

7. A retaining clip for connecting plate members, comprising a generallysquare configuration provided with slots extending from each cornerdiagonally toward the center of the body, the slots being elongated andhaving a width generally corresponding to the thickness of the platemembers, said slots each having a rounded socket portion on the innerend thereof to avoid cracking of the flat body under stress.

1. A retaining clip for connecting plate members, comprising: agenerally flat rigid body having a plurality of elongated slots formedtherein, the slots extending from the edges of the body toward thecenter of the body, each slot having a rounded socket portion at theinner end of the slot, and the slots being of a width generallycorresponding to the thickness of the plate members to receive the platemembers in assembly.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 and including a set pinhaving an elongated body portion corresponding in thickness to the slotwidth, said pin terminating with a round or cylindrical headcorresponding to the socket portion of the slot for locking the set pinwithin the slot.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the slots and theset pin having matching rims to interengage the pin in the slot inassembly.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the matching rims includea raised rim on the slot edges and a set of raised rims on the set pin,the raised rims on the set pin riding over the rim on the slot duringassembly.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, and including raised rib portionson the body portion, the rib portions extending along the edges of thebody between the mouths of adjacent slots and serve to brace a plate inthe corresponding slots in an assembly.
 6. A retaining clip forconnecting plate members, comprising a generally flat body having agenerally square configuration provided with slots extending from eachcorner diagonally toward the center of the body, the slots beingelongated and having a width generally corresponding to the thickness ofthe plate members, said body having raised rim portions extendingbetween slots along the four edges of the flat body and along the edgesof the slots.
 7. A retaining clip for connecting plate members,comprising a generally square configuration provided with slotsextending from each corner diagonally toward the center of the body, theslots being elongated and having a width generally corresponding to thethickness of the plate members, said slots each having a rounded socketportion on the inner end thereof to avoid cracking of the flat bodyunder stress.